August 06, 2013

Cuban not fretting about the Mavs' schedule

The Mavs open the season at home against Atlanta on Oct. 30, and play six of their first 10 games on the road. In the month of November, 12 of the 17 games the Mavs play are against teams that advanced to last season's playoffs.

With the Mavs having nine new players on their roster, trying to weave those players into a rotation while also playing some of the league's toughest teams will be a major challenge for coach Rick Carlisle.

"We have to play what the league gives us,'' Cuban said. "It's going to be an exciting season no matter who we play or when or how!''

The Mavs' schedule includes five different homestands consisting of at least three games. That includes a four-game homestand from Jan. 26-Feb. 3 against Detroit, Houston, Sacramento and Cleveland.

By contrast, the Mavs have six different road trips covering at least three games. But the two longest road trips consists of just four games apiece.

From Dec. 4-11, the Mavs play road games at New Orleans, Portland, Sacramento and Golden State. They also have a four-game road trip to the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz.

"It's a tough, but fair schedule,'' Carlisle said. "We very much look forward to the challenge.''